The “Best Water of 2007” according to industry experts BevNET, Icelandic Glacial, is preparing for another year of rapid sales growth by signing some of the industry’s best sales and marketing talent. Demand for the first-ever bottled water with a CarbonNeutral® certification distributed in the U.S. has increased exponentially since signing a master distribution agreement with Anheuser-Busch in July of last year. With Icelandic Glacial’s sales rocketing, and full nationwide availability expected by this summer, the company has dramatically increased its sales team, bringing in expert talent from leading beverage companies to ensure that consumers nationwide will have ready access to Icelandic Glacial.
“Last year was a breakout year for Icelandic Glacial,” says Kristjan Olafsson, VP, General Manager and co-founder of Icelandic Glacial. “After numerous industry award wins in 2007, achieving CarbonNeutral® Certification and signing a master distribution deal with Anheuser-Busch, we look to excel on all fronts, setting new benchmarks in the industry.” The company is preparing for further significant expansion in 2008 and is fueling that growth by hiring some of the most experienced professionals the industry has to offer.
Daniel Stepper, formerly of The Coca-Cola Company, has joined the Icelandic Glacial team as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. Stepper is charged with managing the U.S. sales team and achieving nationwide distribution of the product by late summer. “Icelandic Glacial is a true pioneering brand that delivers on all fronts,” explains Stepper. “The combination of exceptional purity, great taste and solid environmental credentials makes our brand the perfect choice for retailers and consumers in this premium and environmentally-conscious time.”
Icelandic Glacial has increased their sales and marketing teams by adding other exceptional talent including Dino Sarti, formerly from Coca-Cola and Cadbury, who serves as the Director of National Accounts and Patrick Bolden, who joined the team after serving at both Coca-Cola and Heineken. Bolden was recently named Director of National Field Sales. Rounding out the growing sales and marketing team is David Casey, formerly of Saatchi & Saatchi and The Coca-Cola Company; Casey joins the team as Director of Marketing, adding strategic beverage marketing experience to the company.
“As a super-premium bottled water with super-premium distribution, we are excited to be signing on high caliber industry talent to further fuel our growth. Our goal is to make sure that consumers across the country who want the highest quality water, which can only come from an environment as pure and untouched as Iceland, can enjoy it whenever they want,” said co-founder Olafsson. “This is an exciting brand for our growing team to handle as Icelandic Glacial has a unique combination of incredible purity, environmental stewardship and award winning bottle design.”
“It’s also exciting to be part of a company that is entrepreneurial by nature. We’ve attracted a world-class team that is poised to build this brand into an industry giant,” says Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Daniel Stepper.
“With our new team members in place, Icelandic Glacial is in a position to deliver on a national scale and has already signed a number of key retail agreements with outlets such as Safeway, Ralphs, Target, Albertsons, Whole Foods and Duane Reade,” says Olafsson.